According to the document, there are several theories of American democracy: pluralist theory which argues that public interest prevails through interest group bargaining; elite/class theory which argues that wealthy individuals and corporations control policy; and hyperpluralism which argues that there are too many interest groups controlling policy to the detriment of the public interest. The document also discusses challenges to democracy, including limited citizen participation, the influence of money in politics overwhelming democratic voices, and policy gridlock between diverse political interests.
1) The document discusses the use of deliberative democracy in public policy making processes. It defines deliberative democracy as a process that involves citizens and stakeholders directly engaging in decision making through reasoned discussion.
2) Some key aspects of effective deliberation are discussed, including giving all participants equal opportunities to speak, respecting all views, providing access to relevant information, and coordinating deliberations with policy makers.
3) When done effectively, deliberative democracy can lead to more legitimate and higher quality public policies by incorporating diverse citizen preferences and perspectives into the policy making process.
Opening comments at the Recentering Democracy Around Citizens conference, February 16, 2010, Cantigny Conference Center, Wheaton, IL. Conference organized by the Deliberative Democracy Consortium, hosted by the McCormick Foundation.
The document discusses theories of democracy, including traditional democratic theory which outlines five criteria for an ideal democracy: equality in voting, effective participation, enlightened understanding, citizen control of the agenda, and inclusion. It also discusses fundamental democratic principles like majority rule and minority rights. Contemporary theories of who governs are explored, including pluralism where interest groups influence policy, elite/class theory where the wealthy elite hold power, and hyperpluralism where groups weaken government.
According to the document, there are several theories of American democracy: pluralist theory which argues that public interest prevails through interest group bargaining; elite/class theory which argues that wealthy individuals and corporations control policy; and hyperpluralism which argues that there are too many interest groups controlling policy to the detriment of the public interest. The document also discusses challenges to democracy, including limited citizen participation, the influence of money in politics overwhelming democratic voices, and policy gridlock between diverse political interests.
1) The document discusses the use of deliberative democracy in public policy making processes. It defines deliberative democracy as a process that involves citizens and stakeholders directly engaging in decision making through reasoned discussion.
2) Some key aspects of effective deliberation are discussed, including giving all participants equal opportunities to speak, respecting all views, providing access to relevant information, and coordinating deliberations with policy makers.
3) When done effectively, deliberative democracy can lead to more legitimate and higher quality public policies by incorporating diverse citizen preferences and perspectives into the policy making process.
Opening comments at the Recentering Democracy Around Citizens conference, February 16, 2010, Cantigny Conference Center, Wheaton, IL. Conference organized by the Deliberative Democracy Consortium, hosted by the McCormick Foundation.
The document discusses theories of democracy, including traditional democratic theory which outlines five criteria for an ideal democracy: equality in voting, effective participation, enlightened understanding, citizen control of the agenda, and inclusion. It also discusses fundamental democratic principles like majority rule and minority rights. Contemporary theories of who governs are explored, including pluralism where interest groups influence policy, elite/class theory where the wealthy elite hold power, and hyperpluralism where groups weaken government.